Ants, bees, bugs and flies all buzzed and crawled into the International Garden Photographer of the Year office as our ‘4Seasons: Insect Beauties’ category inspired photographers from around the world to submit a variety of incredible photographs of our mighty micro friends.

There was very little to choose between the top three photographs, but after long discussion the winner is ‘In Flight’ by Lotte Andersen Pedersen. The judges admired the way the photograph was clearly the result of painstaking work, catching the hoverfly at exactly the right moment, and with exactly the right composition of colour and shape. The insect is clearly in its element.

Runners up were Jacky Parker ‘Lady in Red’, and Leena Holmström ‘Small Copper’.

The category winner receives a £500 cash prize and all the finalists will receive a copy of ‘International Garden Photographer of the Year Collection 03’ published by David and Charles. All the finalists have been awarded points which will be taken through to the judging of the main competition, deadline 30th November 2010.

The ‘4 seasons’ competition is supported by Landscape Juice.

The final run up to judging the main competition is now on – deadline November 30th. There are seven categories to enter from Trees to Wildflowers to People.

International Garden Photographer of the Year is run by photographers for photographers. Uniquely, we offer all entrants the opportunity to discuss their entries with judges after the competition closes, and anyone can ask for feedback on their entries by email. For more information please visit the International Garden Photographer of the Year website.